Intaglio dry offset printing press



June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD 2,988,939

INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 4, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS 1O Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 4, 1958' mm i Q INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY E. A. CRAWFORD June 20, 1961 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 66 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS l0 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS 1O Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 INVENTOR. EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS 1O Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS 1O Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD %)Z.%'

ATTORNEY INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING PRESS Filed Aug. 4, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTORNEY June 20, 1961 E. A. CRAWFORD 2,988,989

INTAGLIO DRY OFFSET PRINTING Filed Aug. 4, 1958 .10 Sheets-Sheet 10 INVENTOR.

EARL A. CRAWFORD ATTO E United States Patent 2,988 989 INTAGLIO DRY orFsirT' PRINTING PRESS Earl A. Crawford, 123 Lansdown Road, Warwick, RI.

Flled Aug. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 752,918

33 Claims. (Cl. 101-152) My present invention relates to the printing art and more particularly to a novel construction of an intaglio dry offset printing press.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an intaglio dry offset printing press having a novel removable printing unit which permits rapid changes in the work and color.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an intaglio dry olfset printing press especially adaptable for multicolor printing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglio dry offset printing press having a novel cylinder and ink combination which holds the definition in process work.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an intaglio dry offset printing press having a novel press and web drive.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intaglio dry offset printing press with a novel web feed and tensioning device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide .an intaglio dry offset printing press utilizing a detachable plate and a mating transfer blanket.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

-In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section of one of the color printing units.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the register between the transfer and plate cylinders.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away of one of the color printing units.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detailed view of the lower left corner, showing the adjustable pivot, of the unit shownin FIG. 3. 1

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section of a fragment of the printing plate and transfer blanket.

I FIG. 6 is a plan view of *one of the color printing units partly broken away.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pression control shaft.

FIG.8 is a side elevation, partly in section of the unit with the impression control shaft in on position.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 with the impression control shaft in oif position.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are enlarged sections of the shaft and mounting in on and olf" positions.

FIG. 12 is a section showing the plate cylinder mounting and adjustments.

FIG. 13 is a section showing the ink cylinder mounting and adjustments.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the left side of the press showing the multiple printing units.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the printing unit lock in closed position.

"FIG. 16 is a similar view of the lock in open position.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the right side of'the press shown in FIG. 14.'

FIG. 18 is a plan view, partly in section of the web and cylinder drive.

portion of the imofifset method is preferable.

2,988,989 Patented June 20, 1961.

FIG. 19 is a section showing the web and cylinder intermediate drive mechanism.

FIG. 20 is a side elevation of the web feed and tensioning mechanism.

FIG. '21 is an enlarged section through the web feed drive wheel.

The printing press of the present invention has been designed to eliminate the many disadvantages inherent in the conventional printing methods now in use. In rotogravure printing the web is passed over a rubber cylinder, and a steel gravure cylinder, etched on the surface, rotates in an ink reservoir in contact with the web. A doctor blade removes the surplus ink leaving the cells on the etched surface filled with the ink to make the impression. This type of printing is unsuitable on rough uneven surfaces because of the dilficulty of making the impression from the steel gravure cylinder. The ink used is normally a highly volatile fluid having quick evaporating solvents. The viscosity will pass it through a No. 2 Zahn cup in 17 to 34 seconds. Such inks dry very rapidly by solvent evaporation and present a fire and explosion hazard. Because they are highly volatile it is diflicult to maintain the color of the ink over long periods of time.

In printing paper board or other rough surfaces the In this method the web is passed over a steel platen cylinder andv the plate cylinder transfers the impression to an intermediate rubber transfer cylinder which in turn contacts the web. Here the rubber cylinder pulls the impression from the steel plate cylinder and transfers it to the web which is rotating on a steel platen cylinder which forms a hard platen. With this type of printing the ink is only slightly heavier, registering 33 to 35 seconds on the No. 2 Zahn cup scale.

The present invention is designed to provide a press which utilizes an extremely heavy fluid ink which remains press wet until it reaches the web. The ink of the present invention uses a film forming resin such as nitrocellulose or ethyl cellulose as a base and a high boiling alcohol as the solvent. This ink is extremely heavy and takes 60 to seconds on the No. 2 Zahn cup scale. To handle such a heavy ink the press of the present invention provides an additional ink cylinder, rubber jacketed, which is used to stuif the ink into the plate cylinder cells. The impression is picked up from the plate cylinder by a rubber blanketed transfer cylinder which transfers it to the web rotating on a steel platen cylinder. The rotogravure process therefore uses a steel plate cylinder with the Web on a rubber platen. The offset process uses a steel plate cylinder and a rubber transfer cylinder with the web on a steel platen. The press of the present invention uses a rubber inking cylinder, a steel plate cylinder and a transfer blanket cylinder with the web on a steel platen. This arrangement and the use of a heavy fluid ink has been found to maintain the color within one half of one percent over a period of twelve hours. The color register is much better and the ink will hold the definition in process work. The fire hazard due to the use of high volatile solvents is eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 1, the printing unit shown therein comprises the ink cylinder 25 rotating clockwise on a shaft 26 and provided with a rubber surface or blanket 27. The cylinder 25 rotates in the ink reservoir 28 and is provided with a splash guard or shield 29. The plate cylinder 30 is mounted for counterclockwise rotation adjacent the cylinder 25 and spaced therefrom approximately .0055. The plate cylinder 30 may be of any conventional design but is preferably constructed with a draw lock arrangement 31 and a cylinder plate 32 of the type shown in my copending application entitled Printing Plate and Cylinder, Serial No. 651,641, filed April 9, 1957, now US,

No. 2,898,854. The plate cylinder 30 is also provided with a splash shield 33.

Adjacent the plate cylinder 30 is a transfer blanket cylinder 34 rotating clockwise in contact with the plate cylinder 30. A rubber blanket 35 is retained on the transfer cylinder 34 by mounting on a plate 36 tied to the transfer cylinder 34 by the draw lock 37. The transfer blanket cylinder 34 contacts the web 38 on the platen cylinder 39 rotating counterclockwise. The plate cylinder 30 and transfer blanket cylinder 34 use the draw lock arrangement shown in my copending application. As shown in FIG. 2, the gap in the rubber transfer blanket 35 is slightly wider than the line in the plate 32 and registers with it. With this arrangement the cylinder plate 32 will pick up ink at the locking line but the ink will not transfer to the blanket 35 because the gap in the blanket 35 straddles the line. Therefore, a virtually continuous pattern can be printed without printing the dividing line. The cylinders 30 and 34 are mating cylinders of the same diameter so that the gap in the transfer blanket 35 will always be in register with the line in the plate 32. It may be found desirable to further reduce this line and give the doctor blade a continuous unbroken surface on which to ride. This can be done by inserting a metal strip with a low melting point into the plate gap with a small portion protruding. A hot iron curved to the radius of the cylinder can then be applied to form the metal into a bridge over the gap.

The combination of applicants ink with the draw lock type of cylinders has many distinct advantages. The use of a plate locked on a cylinder saves considerable time and money in preparing the job and making it ready. Both the rubber transfer blanket 35 and the cylinder plate 32 can easily be made ready if there are any low spots. Thus less pressure is necessary between the plate cylinder and the transfer blanket cylinder and therefore the definition is better.

The film forming heavy ink transfers in the manner shown in FIG. 5. The plate 32 is etched with rectangular intaglio cells 40. The deep openings form the solid portions of the printed matter and the shallow cells form the high lights. The ink is picked up from the reservoir by the ink cylinder 25 and an even coating of heavy ink is laid on the surface of the plate 32 and stuffed into the cells 40. As the plate cylinder 30 rotates the doctor blade removes the ink from the surface of the plate 32 leaving only the ink stuffed in the cells 40, the excess ink dropping back into the reservoir. The ink in the cell 40 remains press wet. As the rubber blanket 3S presses against these cells the ink is removed by capillary action so that the blobs of ink 41 are now resting of the surface of the rubber blanket 35. The film forming resin causes the ink to start setting. A rind is thus formed on the exposed surfaces of the blobs of ink 41, but the portion of the ink touching the surface of the cylinder remains wet. The rind is sticky and transfers readily to the web 38. The transfer is clean and no ink is left on the cylinder 34 to form ghosts. It will be found that the high cells spread slightly on transfer to form solid sections while the shallow cells spread very little and hold the definition to print the highlights. Thus the combination of applicants cylinder construction and film forming heavy fluid ink produces results heretofore not possible with other rapid drying printing methods.

The printing press of the present application has been specifically designed to utilize the method hereinabove set forth. This press includes novel features in construction and operation including the printing unit, the printing unit and web drive, the web feed and tensioning mechanism and other novel features. Process work involves the use of colors. The applicant has devised a press in which each color is printed from a self-contained unit incorporating the elements shown in FIG.1. As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 17, the multicolor units of the press of the present invention are stacked vertically thus saving a considerable amount of floor space. These figures il- .4 lustrate a five color press with five separate color units. The press can similarly be constructed with less or more units. One of the main features of the present invention is that the individual color units are so self-contained that they can be pulled out of the .press without disturbing its operation and a new unit with a different color or work can be inserted, or the same unit can be changed and put back into the press. 'Since all the units are identical the present application includes the construction and operation of one of the units only.

Each printing unit comprises three basic frames one superimposed on the other. The base frame or chassis 42 comprises a pair of space parallel rectangular bars having an integral vertical portion 43 at the rear 'end. Mounted over each chassis member 42 is an L-shaped transfer frame 44 having a short vertical portion 45 at its forward end. This horizontal portion of the L-frame 44 has an inveited U-shaped construction which straddles the chassis 42, see FIGS. 6 and 13. Mounted on each portion of the L-frame is an auxiliary frame 46, generally rectangular in shape. Each portion of the auxiliary frame 46 rides on a key 47 in a keyway groove in the top edge of the L-frame 44, see FIGS. 12 and 13.

Referring to FIG. 6, the forward ends of the frames are held in spaced parallel relation by a fixed shaft 48 which passes through an opening in the chassis 42 and through a slot 49 in the L-frame 44. The slot 49 permits longitudinal movement of the L-frame 44 in relation to the chassis 42. A supporting roller 50 is mounted on the outside of the shaft 48 at each end and is adapted to support the forward end of the frames when the unit is rolled into and out of the press. The shaft 48 is provided with a hollow threaded portion at each end adapted to receive an elongated bolt 51 for locking the unit into the press frame in a manner hereinafter to be described.

The vertical portion of the L-frame 44 is surmounted by the bearing block 52 which supports the shaft 53 'on which the transfer blanket cylinder 34 is mounted. To ease the strain on the shaft bearing, the bearing block 52 is pivotally mounted by passing a bolt 54 through the block 52 and into the vertical portion 45 of the frame 44. A hearing cap 55 locks the shaft 53 in place. To adjust the contact between the transfer blanket cylinder 34 and the web 38 on the platen cylinder 39 a horizontal adjustment of the frame 44 on the chassis 42 is made within the limits of the slots 49.

Referring to FIG. 3, the chassis 42 is provided with an elongated rectangular cutout portion 56 adjacent the rear end. A rectangular block 57 is horizontally slidably mounted in the cutout 56. An adjusting screw 58 extends from the rear end of the chassis 42 into a threaded opening 59 having fine threads for making micrometer adjustments. The adjustment screw 58 then extends unthreaded into the cutout 56 with the free end entering the block 57 and being anchored therein by a lock member 60 in an opening 61 in the block 57. A plate 62, see FIGS. 3, 12 and 13, extends across the bottom of the L-frame 44 covering the cut out portion 56 in the chassis 42 and locking the block 57 in horizontally slidable position. The plate 62 is bolted to the bottom of the L-frame 44 by bolts 63 as illustrated. The plate 62 is provided with a slot adjacent its forward end and a wing bolt 64 extends through this slot and threadedly-engages the block 57.

Horizontal adjustment of the transfer blanket cylinder 34 can therefore be effected by turning the adjustment screw 58. When the screw 58 is turned in one direction it will pull the block 57 to the right, see FIG. 3, within the cutout 56 of the chassis 42. The L-frame'44 is locked to the block 57 through the plate 62 and wing bolt 64 and will therefore move with it, carrying the transfer blanket cylinder 34. Turning movement of the adjustment screw 58 in the opposite direction will move the L-frame 44 to the left toward the web 38. This adjustment is used to make the fine adjustment between the transfer blanket cylinder 34 and the platen cylinder 39 in readying the job or while it is running. However, if the size of the transfer blanket cylinder 34 be changed so that a larger adjustment must be made then the wing bolt 64 is loosened and the L-frame 44 manually pushed to its approximate new position within the confines of the slot 49. The wing bolt 64 is then tightened and the final fine adjustment is made by turning the screw 58. After the final adjustments have been made the screw 58 is locked in adjusted position by the lock nut 65. The above described adjustment is made at the rear end of the frame members on each side of the unit so that the adjustment must be made in two places.

The position of the auxiliary frame 46 on the L-frame 44 is also adjustable along the key 47 by the construction shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 to 12 inclusive. Mounted on the top of the rear vertical end 43 of the chassis 42 is a block 66. The block 66 is slidable longitudinally along the top of the chassis portion 43. An adjustment screw 67 extends through the lower portion of the block 66 and threadedly engages the block with fine micrometer threads 68. The forward end of the screw 67 is unthreaded and extends into the key 47 on which the auxiliary frame 46 is slidably mounted. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13 it should be noted that the key 47 is rectangular in shape and that the bottom edge of the auxiliary frame 46 has an inverted U-shape which straddles the key 47. Now referring to FIG. 3, the outer side of the auxiliary frame 46 is provided with an elongated slot 69. A lock bolt 70 extends through the slot 69 and into the key 47 to lock the key to the extended portion of the adjustment screw 67. To make an adjustment of the auxiliary frame 46 longitudinally, which will adjust the contact between the plate cylinder 30 and transfer blanket cylinder 34, the adjustment screw 67 if turned in one direction will move forwardly through the block 66 and push the auxiliary frame 46 and its key 47 along the keyway to the left. Turning movement in the opposite direction will move the adjustment screw 67 rearwardly and pull the auxiliary frame 46 to the right. Again this adjustment is a fine adjustment. Where the size of the cylinders has been changed and a large adjustment is required, the lock bolt 70 on each side of the unit is loosened. This loosens the connection between the auxiliary frame 46 and the adjustment screw 67. The frame can then be manually pushed along the keyways until it contactsthe transfer blanket cylinder 34. The lock bolts 70 are then tightened on each side and the adjustment screws 67 on each side can then be used to make the final fine adjustment. Each adjustment screw 67 is also provided with a lock nut 71 for locking the final adjustment.

The adjustment of the contact between the plate cylinder 30 and the transfer blanket cylinder 34 is effected by the adjustment of the auxiliary frame 46 in the manner above described. However, it is desirable to provide a transverse adjustment of the plate cylinder 30 to adjust the register of the colors while the press is running. This adjustment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 12. The plate cylinder 30 is mounted in the upper forward corner of the auxiliary frame 46. As can be seen in FIG. 3, a rectangular portion 72 of the frame 46 is" cut away. Mounted on the bottom of the cutout portion 72 is a pivoted bearing block 73 which is bolted into the frame 46 by the bolt 74. The plate cylinder 30 is mounted on a shaft 75 which is journaled in the bearing block 73.

The shaft 75 is slidably mounted at each end in its hearing block 73 so that it can be moved axially. On the side of the press shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, an enlarged bearing cap 76 extends over the top of the shaft end and is bolted into the bearing block 73. It will be noted that this end of the shaft extends outwardly beyond the block 73 and is provided with a groove portion 77. An adjustment screw 78 extends into the bearing cap 76 just above theshaft 75 in spaced parallel relation to it. The

adjustment'screw 78 is thr'eadedly mounted in the hearing cap 76. A plate 79 is provided with an inverted U-shaped bottom end' 80. The'pla-te 79 is mountedon the adjustment screw 78 with the U-shaped bottom end 80 entering the grooved portion 77 of the shaft 75. With the parts thus assembled, and viewing FIG. 12,-it is obvious that when the adjustment screw 78 is rotated to move to the right the plate 79 will pull the shaft 75 to the right. When the adjustment screw 78 is moved to the left, the shaft 75 Will'be moved to the left. This adjustment is usually a very fine and very small adjustment to register the colors. A lock nut 81 rides on the adjustment screw 78 for locking the adjusted position. In certain printing operations the transfer blanket cylinder 34 may be used as the plate cylinder with raised lettering on the rubber jacket. In such case it may be desirable to also provide the transfer blanket cylinder shaft 53 with a similar transverse adjustment by replacing the bearing cap 55 with the above described assembly.

Referring to FIG. 13, the ink cylinder shaft 26 is provided with a groove 82 adjacent each end of the cylinder 25. The splash guard 29 is provided with a slot which straddles the shaft 26 and rides in the groove 82. The outer edge of the guard 29 is bent at right angles to overlap the outer edge of the cylinder 25. Similarly, see FIG. 12, the plate cylinder shaft 75 is provided with a groove 83. The guard 33 is also provided with a slot to straddle the shaft 75 and ride in the groove 83. These guards, 29 and 33 prevent the ink from flying off the ends of the cylinder, while the grooves prevent the ink from running along the shafts and fouling the shaft bearings.

The ink cylinder 25 is also mounted in the auxiliary frame 46 but must be adjustable to compensate for changes in the diameter of the plate cylinder 30 and to adjust the spacing between the ink cylinder 25 and plate cylinder 30 to compensate for different inking conditions. This adjustment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 13. Referring to FIG. 3, it should be noted that the auxiliary frame 46 is provided with a cutout portion 84 surmounted by an inverted U-shaped portion 85 which provides a frame having a rectangular opening. A bearing block 86 is mounted on the lower edge of the cutout 84 and having an integral central depending portion 87 which rides in a groove in the auxiliary frame 46. The ink cylinder shaft 26 is journaled in the bearing block 86. The hearing block 86 is provided with an auxiliary portion 88 which extends between the top of the block 86 and the bottom edge of the inverted U-sh'aped plate 85. The block 88 is provided with an upper extension 89 which enters a groove in the plate 85 and a lower extension 90 which enters a recess in the top of the block 86. As shown in FIG. 13, the block 86 can pivot on its lower extension 87 and by the extension 90 engaging the recess at the upper end. Adjustment is made by the adjustment screw 91 which extends through the lower portion of the plate 85 and is then provided with a threaded portion which extends through a threaded opening in the auxiliary block 88. Turning movement of the adjustment screw 91 will cause the block 88 to move along the screw to the right or left as shown in FIG. 3. Movement of the block 88 will carry the block 86 which slides with it in the frame. The pivotal action provided for the ink cylinder shaft 26 is desirable because when adjustments are made at each end of the shafts it may be found necessary to move one end of the cylinder closer to the plate cylinder 30 than the other end. By allowing the shaft bearings to pivot the strain is removed from I the bearings and excessive wear is eliminated. After the .beingused herein the press drive is so constructedathat answer;

7 when the printing unit is taken off impression the ink cylinder 25 and plate cylinder 30 are moved away from the transfer blanket cylinder 34 but continue to :rotate 'so that the ink remains plastic and press wet and does not dryon the printing plate. When this contact is broken the web 38 continues to move until the transfer blanket cylinder 34 makes one or two more revolutions. This cleans any ink impression left on the transfer blanket. At this point the transfer blanket rcylin'der moves out of contact with the web 38 and the web stops. The transfer -bla'riket cylinder 34 continues to rotate so that it remains in'reg'is'ter'with the plate cylinder 30. 'When it is desired to put the'unit on impressiomthe transfer blanket cyl- -irider 34 moves to contact the web 38, and then the ink -and plate 'cylinders move'until the plate cylinder contacts the transfer blanket cylinder. The control for moving the cylinders on and oif impression is part of the "unitan'd is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6 to inclusive.

Referring to these figures, it will be noted that the "upper portion of the block 66, which is mounted at the top 'of the portion 43 of the chassis 42, is cut out in the form of a U-shape. A control shaft '93, see FIG. 6, extends across and through the spaced blocks 66. 'The "outer ends of the shaft 93 are used to lock the unit in the press in a manner hereinafterto be described. The portions of the shaft passing through the U-shaped portion- 0f the 'blocks 66 is shown in FIG. 7. The shaft 93 isprovided with spaced cut away portions 94 of smaller diameter than the shaft 93 and eccentricto it. One side of each portion 94 is provided with a fiat portion 95. The top edge of each block 66 is provided with a pair of straps 96 which extend across the portions 94 and are bolted in place by bolts 97 extending well into the block. The shaft 93 is mounted for rotation on the centers ofthe portions 94 and the entire shaft including the portion between the portions 94 therefore becomes an -'eccentric' cam. Now referring to FIG. 8, it will be noted "that the L-frame 44 is provided with a roller 98 adjacent the rear end on each side. These rollers 98 are centered-approximately A." above the forward rollers 50.

*When the unit is locked in the press, the'forward end rests on the rollers 50 and the rear end is suspended from the shaft 93 by the cross straps 96.

When a switch or button is energized to take the unit off impression the shaft 93 begins to rotate clockwise 'asshown in FIGS. 3 and 8 to 11 inclusive. The initial movement of the shaft '93 causes the shaft to contact and push-against the right hand walls of the blocks 66. This causes the blocks to slide to the right as shown in FIGS. '9 and 11. As the blocks 66 move to the right they carry the adjustment screws 67 with them. As hereinabove described the screws 67 are anchored in the auxiliary frame "46'and' the auxiliary frame will slidealong its keyway 'towar'dsthe right as shown in FIG. 9 until the plate cylinder 30 no longer contacts the transfer blanket cylinder "34. Further movement of the shaft 93 will bring'the fiat portion 95 into uppermost position and allow the chassis-to drop on to the flat portions causing the rear end-of the unit to drop sufiiciently so that the rear rollers 98'now-ride on the unit support in horizontal alignment with the front rollers 50. This in effect results in a pivotal clockwise movement of the L-frame 44 on the *supporting shaft'48 which pivots the transfer blanket "cylinder 34 away from the web 38 as shown-in FIG. 9. The-unit is now off impression and can be rolled or moved-on the rollers 50 and 98.

"When-theshaft 93 is rotated counterclockwise to put "the unit 'on impression, the flat portion 95 begins to return to its position'shown in FIG. 8, to lift the rear ""of theunit, before the shaft will move the blocks 66;

and auxiliary frame 46 to the left. Thus the transfer blanket cylinder 34 contacts the web 38 before the plate -cylitider 30 contacts the transfer blanket cylinder 34.

Referringto FIGSNI, 3'and 6, the film'forming'inkis -with the worm 113.

-mounted for radial movement.

the sides of the auxiliary frame 46. The rear wall of the reservoir 28 is suspended in the portions '85 by-bqlts 99. At the ;front end of the auxiliary frame :46,.a strap I00 :depends on each side and terminates in a hooked :bottom end 101 which'supports a pin 102 in-the reservoir. Note that the bottom of the reservoir 28 is slantedrearwardly to retain the ink at the ink cylinder 25. As the ink is laid .on the plate cylinder 30 by the link cylinder .25, a doctor blade removes the surface ink as 7hereinabove described. The doctor blade'is mountedacross the top slot ;107(FIG. 3). A bolt 108 extends through the slot 107 -to lock the post in adjusted position in the,slot 103.

This. provides for'longitudinal adjustment of the doctor -blade assembly which is mounted on the posts 105. A rectangular bar 109 is mounted transversely across the top of the'frame portions 85, FIG. 6, and is provided with..slots 110 surrounding each adjustable post 105,.the

.slots 110 permitting axial reciprocation of the'bar 109. One end of the bar 109 is provided withan integral car 111 which is connected .to a reciprocating drive mechanism hereinafter to be described. When the plate cylinder 30 is adjusted out of parallel with the transfer cylinder 34, the arrangement of the posts 105 and slots 110 permit the bar 109, which carries theentire doctor bladeassembly, to be similarly adjusted parallel-to the plate cylinder 30 without binding.

Mounted on the bar 109 are pairs of spaced-ears 112.

A worm 113 is mounted between each pairof ears 112 on-a split shaft114 which is'locked by the member 115 in the center. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, a plate 116 extends forwardly from the'bar 109 in front of each -worm 113. -A bolt 117 extends through each plate 116 with the bottom portion threaded as shown in :FIG. '3, and the top end having a worm gear 118 which meshes With this arrangement turning movement of the shaft 114 will cause the bolt 11 7at each end to rotate in the plate 116. A support 119 :is provided with a short horizontal portion, which 'threadedly engages the threaded portion of the bolt-117, .andan 121 extends between the end of the'portions 120. Ad-

.jacent each end of the shaft 121 is a short depending bracket 122 which supports the doctor blade assembly 123. Turning movement of the shaft 114 is transmitted at each end through the worm 113, worm gears "118 to .the support 119 which rides vertically on the .threaded portion of the bolt 117. This permits verticaladjust- I ment of the doctor blade assembly 123.

Extending from the inside of each support 119-are spaced bearings 124 in which a circular'plate125 is An adjustment screw 126 threadedly engages the plate 125 and extends through the plate to a point over and beyond the shaft 121. -A lever arm 127 extends from the end of each adjustment screw 126 and is fixed to the shaft 121. VieWingFIGS. 1 and 3, when the adjustment screw 126 is rotated counterclockwise it will pull the lever arm 127 in a clockwise direction to rotate the shaft 121 and change the angle of the doctor blade 123 in an upward direction. Movement of the adjustment screw 126 in the opposite direction will move the doctor blade downwardly. The angle with which the doctor blade contacts the plate 32-can therefore bezadjusted by movement of eachadjustment iretained in -a reservoir28 whichsis suspended -betweenfzgai screwl126. .The adjustment-screws.areprovided-swith yadjustment within a small area.

. 9 lock members 128 for locking in adjusted position. The doctor blade can therefore be moved longitudinally by loosening the bolts 108 and moving the posts 105 along the slots 103. Vertical adjustment is provided by rotation of theshaft 114 as hereinabove described. Radial adjustment is provided by movement of the adjustment screws 126.

The above described unit can be repeated to provide a press adapted to print in any number of desired colors. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 17, the press illustrated herein is shown with five units capable of printing five different colors. The number of units and colors can of course be varied to suit different requirements. In the illustrated form the color units are stacked vertically. This saves a considerable amount of space and permits handling and Another feature of the present invention is the use of a single drive for all :the units and the web made possible by the intermeshing gear train and the drive mechanism shown in FIGS. 18

i and 19.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 17, the press comprises a base 129 on which the press frame is mounted. The frame is preferably cast in a single integral construction which provides strength and saves assembly operations. The press frame comprises four vertical columns, two rear columns 130 and two front columns 131. The columns 130 and 131 may be cored, angular or hollow. In the illustrated form the columns are shown as hollow as can be seen in FIGS. 18 and 19. On each side, the front and rear columns are integrally connected by a plurality of inverted T-shaped plates 132 (see FIG. 6) which form supporting tracks for the printing units hereinabove described. FIG. 17 shows the drive side of the press with the driving gears mounted on the column 131. FIG. 14 is the operating side with the web drive mechanism mounted on the column 131 opposite the driving 'gear column. An auxiliary triangular support 133 is shaft 93 is at the rear of the unit, and as the unit enters the frame the shaft enters a horizontal slot 136 in the rear edge of each column 130. A grooved annular member 137 is rotatably mounted at the rear of each slot and is provided with a gap 138 which registers with the slot as shown in FIG. 16. This permits the shaft 93 to slide into the slot 136 and through the gap 138 of the groove member 137. The member 137 is then turned 90 degrees into the position shown in FIG. 15. This closes the slot 136 and locks the shaft in the column 130. At the forward end of the unit the lock bolt 51 is then inserted at each side through an opening in the plates 13-2 to lock the unit in proper position.

With the units locked into the frame the gear trains will mesh with each other. However, certain operating connections must be made. Referring to FIG. 17, the drive end of each shaft 93 is provided with a manually operable handle 139 which can be used to manually move the unit on and off impression. Each handle 139 is provided with an intermediate central slot 140 through which each handle 139 is bolted to a vertically moveable shaft 141 mounted on the column 130. The shaft 141 is vertically reciprocable by the rocker arm 142 connected to the bottom end which is operated from an air cylinder 143 mounted on the base 129. Thus movement of the air cylinder will cause vertical movement of the shaft 141 which is connected to the various handles 139 to cause rotation of the operating shafts 93 in each print-' 'ing unit.

'in the opposite direction.

'in FIG. 20, is locked to the It is also necessary to connect the doctor blade drive to each unit. Referring to FIG. 17, the doctor blades are powered from a shaft 144 connected to the source of power not shown in this figure. Through the bevel gears 145 a vertical shaft 146 is rotated. At each level the shaft 146 is provided with a worm and gear connection to drive a short horizontal shaft 147 which is mounted in a bracket 148 beneath each track element 132 on the drive side of the press. A cam drive 149 on the shaft 147 is connected to the ear 111 of the doctor blade reciprocating bar 109 shown in FIG. 6. It is thus a simple matter to remove one or more color units by unlocking and releasing the various connections hereinabove described and rolling the unit out on to the support 133 from which it can be removed. A new unit pre-inked and made ready with a new color or a new printing plate can then easily be rolled into the press.

Referring to FIG. 17, which is the drive side of the press, it will be noted that the various cylinders are provided at the drive end with intermeshing gears. The ink cylinder 25 is provided with a driving gear 150 and rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 17. The plate cylinder 30 is provided with a drive gear 151 meshing with the gear 150 and rotating clockwise. The transfer cylinder 34 is provided with a drive gear 152 which meshes with the gear 151 and rotates counterclockwise. These three drive gears are in constant motion whether the press is on or off impression. The movement required to separate the plate cylinder 30 from the transfer cylinder 34 when going off impression is very slight and the teeth on the gears 151 and 152 are of such depth that they remain in intermeshed position after the separation of the cylinders. Thus the train of gears 150, 151 and 152 continues to drive and the cylinders remain in register whether the unit is on or off impression. This is important because of the register between the plate and transfer blanket shown in FIG. 2. The web 38 on the platen cylinder 39 is stopped when the press is off impression. The drive gear of the platen cylinder 39 is therefore at the opposite side of the press and is not connected to the gear train which drives the printingunit cylinders.

The press of the present invention utilizes a single drive mechanism to power the various printing units and the web, and the drive arrangement for imparting the proper direction of rotation and the proper drive and stop relation is illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. Referring to FIG. 18, the press is driven from a suitable electric motor 153 mounted on the base 129. The motor 153 drives a shaft 154 on the drive side of the press. The shaft is journaled in a bearing 155 in the column 131. A drive gear 156 is locked to the shaft adjacent this end. The drive gear 156 is provided with a lock plate 157 bolted to one side. This locks the teeth to take out play and lost motion. Slightly beyond the center, the shaft 154 is split and extends into a magnetic clutch and brake 158. Extending from the other side of the clutch 158 the split portion 159 of the shaft 154 becomes slightly narrower and passes through a larger shaft 160; The opposite end of the shaft 159 is mounted in a bearing 161 in the column 131. The shaft 160 extends through the column and at one end outside of the gear box is a large driving gear 162. The driving gear 162 is also a locking gear constructed similarly to the gear 156. The other end of the shaft 160 is provided with a large bevel gear 163. Mounted on the shaft 159 is a similar bevel gear 164 facing the gear 163. Intermediate small gears and 166 are mounted in the column between the gears 163 and 164 so that turning movement of the gear 164 in one direction will be transmitted through the gears 165 and 166 to the gear 163 which will rotate It should be noted at this point that the shaft 167 which drives the web feed shown gear 166 so that it rotates with it. 4

When the presshasbeen turned on, the motor ,15-3twill ,driveconstantly. As a result the shaft 154 and drive gear .156-will also be rotating constantly. The printing units are-all driven from gear '156 and therefore the various cylinders in these. units will also remain in constant motion whether the press is on-or off impression. Now viewing the :right side of the drivemechanism in FIG. 18, .theshaft 159 is driven by the shaft 154 through the clutch HS-causing a rotation of the shaft 160 and drive gear ;162 in'the opposite direction. The drive gear 162 drives ,the-platen cylinders and the shaft 167 drives the web feed. Thus when the press is taken off impression the mag- .netic clutch disconnects the shafts 154 and 159 so that the .platen cylinder drive and-web feed can come to a com- ;plete stop locked in fixed position by the magnetic brake, .while the shaft 154 and the drive gear 156 continue to drive the unit cylinders.

g-Now referring to FIGS. 17 and 19,-each:level of the pr;ess;fidame is provided with the intermediate drive mecha- ;nism shown in FIG. 19. A fixed transverse shaft 168 is mounted in the frame. The platen cylinder 39 is rotatably -mounted on the shaft 168 and is provided at its right end withagear 169. An intermediate gear 170 is rotatably -mounted to mesh with the gear 169 and also with the drive gear 162 on the shaft 166 shown in FIG. 18. Gear ,170 is also a locking gear. Thus between each platen ,cylinder and its gear 169 there is an intermediate gear 170 which transfers the drive to the next level, see FIG. 14. The web is moved upwardly so that the platen cylinder 39 ;must rotate counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 14. The intermediate gears 170 therefore rotate clockwise and the ,drive gear 162 must rotate counterclockwise.

Adjacent the left end of the shaft 168 is a reverse gear a arrangement. A spider 171 is fixed to the shaft and is provided with small bevel gears 172 on opposite sides. ,A large gear 173 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 168 :having an inner bevelled face meshing with the gears 172 and an outer gear portion meshing with a large intermediate drive gear 174. Opposite the gear 173 is a large gear 175 which is also provided with an inner bevelled face .meshing with the gears 172 and an outer gear portion which meshes with the gear 152 on the transfer cylinder *34. :With this arrangement rotation of the gear '174 is .transmitted to the gear 173, through the spider gears 172, to the gear 175 which drives the unit cylinder gears by contacting the transfer cylinder gear 152.

The gear 174 mesheswith drive gear 156 to the left of "FIG. 18. Thereafter at each level the gear 174 meshes -with the outer portion of gear 173 of the level below to :provide a chain of gears as shown in FIG. 17. The gear 156 rotates counterclockwise when viewing FIG. 17. The gear 174 therefore rotates clockwise. The gear 173 rotates counterclockwise at each level. In view of the inter- -mediate spider gears 172 the gear 175 rotates clockwise. 'This will cause the transfer cylinder to rotate counterclockwise to match the clockwise rotation of the platen cylinder 39.

1h setting up the job, when the press is put on impression it may be necessary to adjust the rotation of the cylinders in the printing unit to the web to bring the colors into register. This adjustment can be made at each unit by the arrangement shown at the leftend of shaft 168 in FIG. 19. Shaft 168 is fixed in relation to the various gears and the platen cylinder rotating thereon. The left endofthe shaft 168 is provided with a worm gear 176 --which meshes with a worm 177 which is mounted on a shaft 178 at right angles to the shaft 168. As can be seen --in FIG. 17, the shaft 178 is mounted on the side of the -'-frame and extends to the back end where a manually operable wheel 179 is used to turn the shaft. When the wheel 179 is rotated it will cause a turning movement of the shaft 168. This will have no effect on the platen cylinder '39'since it is positively driven through the gears-.169and .2170. However, rotation of the1 shaft- 168 will; cause a rotating movement of the spider 171 which is locked tq-it,

1 shown in FIG.

and rotating movement pf th?e,beyel gears 172 at .eachend of the spider. This wil1.c han ge.the relationship .of the gears 173- and in one direction or the other and consequently change theposition of the impressioncn ,the transfer cylinder 34. Thus the impression can be moved up or down to bring the color into register with the other color or colors. For the purposes of illustration, zone shaft 173 has been shown in FIG. 17. However, the adjustment shaft 173 is repeated at each printing unit. The worm and gear at the end of the shaft 168 acts as alock to lock the spider in fixed position.

The arrangement above described can also be used to engage a printing unit while the press is running. The wheel 179 is rotated rapidly to spin the spider until it matches the web speed. This will bring the gear 175 to a standstill and allow the printing unit to be pushed into place so that the transfer cylinder gear 152 meshes with gear 175 without clashing or strain. The wheel 179 .is now stopped and the drive picks up the new unit immediately. If desired, a separate small gear reduction .motor maybe inserted to operate the shaft 178 for th-is purpose.

When the printing units have all-been locked inposition as hereinabove described, the press is turned on; causing immediate rotation of the driving gear 156 and all the gears on the drive side of the press as shown in FIG. .17.

This constant motion prevents caking of the inkland clogging of the plates. Nowwhen thepress is switched to on impression the air cylinder 143goes into'oper ation to start rotation of the control shafts 93 and each unit .goes through the cycle hereinabove described to bringthe transfer cylinder 34 into contact with theweb and-the plate ,cylinder 30 into contact with the transfer cylinder 34.

However, beforethe-web is contacted the clutch 158 acts to-lock the shafts .154 and 159 and start driving the platen cylinders '39 and-the web feed. -If there-is to be achange of color or a change in one of the plates on the-cylinder 30, the press is taken 01f impression. The aincylinder 143 immediately begins-movement of the shafts 93 and 40 then the clutch 158 disconnects the shaft 159 and stops the web drive. At this point any of the printing unitspan be removed by unlocking the unit and sliding iuout as l4. Corrections, adjustments, color changes or a complete new unit can be clipped into place. This results in a considerable saving of time andreduces the time when the press is down to a minimum. By using stand-by units, a job can be removed from the press anda new job inserted rapidly and if need be, even while the press is running. The number of units used-wilL-Of coursedepend on the number of colors to be run and the press can easily-be used to run a single colon if desired. It is of course essentialthat the ink be thoroughlynry Y betweencolors and any desired drying system maybqemployed. FIGS. 14 and 17 illustrate the web passing ginto and out of a horizontal drying system between .each level. These systems use either direct heat, hot air, or infra red .elements. The particular type of drying arrangement is amatter of choicev andiwillnot affect the operation of the press. The illustrated press shows five color units. Such chamber and the web is run alternately fromone sidqto the, other with intermediate drying without interrupting the printing. The various fine adjustments in thecolor units and the ink and cylinder arrangementshereinabove described permit accurate printing on many surfaces normally diificult to handle. The press of the present application has been used with excellent results on metaL thin roughv paper, plastic .and othermaterials.

.under .uniformtension. ,It, is desirable that,the; web be .nstretched to, remove any undesirable lasticitywhich znay interfere with the register of the colors. It is also desir- 13 able that the shock caused by pulling the web from an unwinding reel be taken up short of the press. Thus the web should be fed smoothly and evenly. The device shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is designed for this purpose.

Mounted on the base 129, forwardly of the press, is an auxiliary base 180 having generally triangular side plates 181. The feed comprises three cylinders arranged in pyramid form. Cylinders 182 and 183 are mounted in horizontal alignment between the plates 181. Cylinders 182 and 183 are provided with steel surfaces. Mounted between the plates 181 above and between the cylinders 182 and 183 is an idler cylinder 184 having a rubber jacket. As shown in FIG. 18, a drive shaft 167 extends from the gear arrangement described therein. This shaft 167 extends along one end of the cylinders 182 and 183 and is provided with bevel gears 185 and 186 meshing with gears at the end of the cylinders. Thus cylinders 182' and 183 are positively driven in a counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrows in FIG. 20.

The web 38 therefore, coming from the left in FIG. 20, passes under and around the cylinder 182 over the cylinder 184, which rotates clockwise, then under and around the cylinder 183. This serpentine arrangement produces positive gripping action on the web 38 and ensures an even feed.

To provide stretch and to take up the shock, a second set of cylinders similarly arranged is provided in spaced relation to the first set as shown in FIG. 20. Here a base 187 is slidably mounted in the main base 129. Triangular plates 188' are mounted on the base 187. The horizontally aligned cylinders 189 and 190 are provided with end gears connected by an idler gear 191 so that cylinders 189 and 190 will rotate together counterclockwise. The idler cylinder 192 is mounted on a shaft .193 journaled in a vertical slot 194 in each plate 188. The web 38 passes under the cylinder 189 over the cylinder 192 and under the cylinder 190. Any drag on the web will pull the cylinder 192 downwardly to tighten the feed and prevent slipping of the web. A cam lever 195 is pivotally mounted in the top of each plate 188 to hold the cylinder 192 down in the slot 194. However, the lever 195 is used to release the cylinder 192 to permit the web to be threaded through the cylinders. It should be noted that the idler cylinder 184 is also provided with a similar arrangement 196 for threading the web. The arrangement of cylinders 189, 190 and 192 are driven from the cylinder 182 to the right by a plurality of V- belts.

- Extending from the end of the shaft of the cylinder 190 is a pulley 197. Extending from the end of the shaft of the cylinder 182 is a pulley 198'. The pulley 198 is illustrated in FIG. 21. It comprises a plurality of split pulley segments 199, with the outer segments fastened to the cylinder shaft and the intermediate segments held together by springs 200. The V-belts 201 extend between the pulleys 197' and 198 so that the cylinders 190 and 189 are'driven through the belts 201 from the cylinder 182. 'Ihebase 187 is provided with a bar or rod 202 controlled by a wheel 203 with a worm and gear arrangement for moving the base 187 away from or towards the base 180.

With the web threaded through the various cylinders, the wheel 203 is turned to pull the base 187 away from the base 180. Note that the increased pressure will cause the pulley segments 199 to separate slightly so that the .V-belts will slide inwardly. This will cause the cylinders the web passes across to the press feed unit on the right.

This arrangement thus provides a uniform feed under proper tension, stretched to eliminate elasticity and designed to take up any shocks before entering the press.

The present invention thus provides a multiple color r 14 dry offset printing press having a great deal of flexibility. Down time is saved and colors and jobs can be rapidly changed especially if stand-by units are used. The press is easily adjustable and the single drive arrangement simplifies controls and reduces trouble spots. The single drive also permits the addition of automatic control devices. For example, the press can be controlled to go on impression at the exact point where it was taken off impression, thus eliminating waste of the web.

Other advantages of the present invention will 7 be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a removable auxiliary frame mounted in said main frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, and means for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders, said web driving means including a base, a pair of cylinders mounted in horizontal alignment on said base, a third cylinder mounted above and between said horizontal cylinders, means for rotating said horizontal cylinders, a second base adjustably positioned in spaced relation to said first base, a pair of cylinders mounted horizontally on said second base, a third cylinder mounted between and above saidsecond pair of cylinders, a pulley wheel for driving said second pair of cylinders, a pulley wheel on one of said first pair of cylinders, a V-belt connecting said pulley wheels, the pulley wheel on the first pair of cylinders being split, and a spring for yieldingly holding said split portions together.

2. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a removable auxiliary frame mounted in said main frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, and means for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders, said plate and transfer cylinders continuing to rotate in register and said platen cylinder and web stopping when the press is off impression, said web driving means including a base, a pair of cylinders mounted in horizontal alignment on said base, a third cylinder mounted above and between said horizontal cylinders, means for rotating said horizontal cylinders, a second base adjust'ably positioned in spaced relation to said first base, a pair of cylinders mounted horizontally on said second base, a third cylinder mounted between and above said second pair of cylinders, a pulley wheel for driving said second pair, of cylinders, a pulley wheel on one of said first pair of cylinders, a V-belt connecting said pulley wheels, the pulley wheel on the first pair of cylinders being split, and a spring for yieldingly holding said split portions together.

3. A dry oifset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, meansfor driving a web around said platen cylinder, a removable auxiliary frame mounted in said main frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, and means for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders, and means for successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is off impression, said web driving means including a base, a pair of cylinders mounted in horizontal alignment on said base, a third cylinder mounted above and between said horizontal cylinders, means for rotating said horizontal cylinders, a second base adjustably positioned in spaced relation to said first base, a

aaaaesg pair of cylinders mounted horizontally on said second basefa third cylinder mounted between and above said Se ondpair of cylinders, a pulley wheel for driving said secondpairof cylinders, a pulley wheel on one of said first pair of cylinders, a V-belt connecting said pulley wheels, the pulley wheel on the first pairof cylinders beingsplit, and a spring for yieldingly holding said split r rtibn l e h 4L AdryofTset printing press comprising a main frame, aplaten eylinderrnounted onsaid frame, means for rotating said platencylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a removable auxiliary framemountedrinsaidmain frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliarylfra'me, said plate and transfer cylinders comprising niatingcylinders of the same size having intermeshing gearjdrives, means'for adjusting the contact between said transfer cylinder and said web, means for adjusting the contact between said plate cylinder and said transfer cylindei means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder,Iandmeans for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders, saidweb driving means including a base, a pair ofcylinders mounted inhorizontal alignment on said base, a third cylinder mounted above and between said horizontal cylinders, means for rotating said horizontal cylinders, a secondbase adjustably positioned in spaced relation to saidfirst base, a pair of cylinders mounted horizontally on said second base, a third cylinder mountbdbetween and above said second pair of cylinders, a pulley wheel fordriving said second pair of cylinders, a ,pulley wheel on one of said first pair of cylinders, a V-belt connecting said pulley wheels, the pulley wheel on the ,jfirist pair'fofcylinders being split, and a spring for yieldingly holding said split portions together.

5. \A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platencylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around ,said, platen cylinder, a -removable auxiliary frame mounttedliirsaid main frame,a transfer cylinder mounted in said fauxiliaryframe, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliiary fra'me, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said iplate, cylinder, and meansfor rotating said plate and transfercylinders, said inking means comprising an ink reservoii'. in said auxiliary frame, an inking cylinder rotatable infsaid reservoir adjacent said plate cylinder, and a doctor bladecontacting said plate cylinder, and means for adjustg, said doctor blade'ihorizontally, vertically and radially, Q said web drivingmeans including a base, a pair of cylinders mounted in horizontal alignment on said base, a third cylinder .mounted above and between said horizontal cylinder s,.means forrotating said horizontal cylinders, .a sec- ,ondgbase -adjustably positioned in spaced relation to said first ibase,.a pair of cylinders mounted horizontally on id secondbasea third cylinder mounted between and ove s aid second, pa-iriofcylinders, a pulley wheel for driving said second pair of cylinders, a pulley wheel .on :p nebf,said.. first pair of cylinders, a V-belt connecting said pulley wheels, the pulley wheel onthe first pair of cylind rs. being split, and aspring for yieldingly holding said split por.tions together.

;6.' A ,dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, aplaten cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit mprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mountedllin said auxiliary frame, ,a plate cylinder mounted in ,said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for Saidplatencylinder, said plate cylinder and inking ns being supp'ortedfor relative adjustment, means on ,sa dinain frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting saidvmobileiunitin said main frame for relative motion t,l 1e rewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part whi h cooperates in locking engagement with means an saidmainiframe forlo'catingsaidauxiliary frame in a ,pregieiein iped.position on the main framewhen said part and means are in locking" engagement, said partwhen moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mountedin said main frame.

7. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced platen cylinders vertically mounted on said main frame, means for rotating said platen cylinders, means for driving a web around said platen cylinders, a plurality of self-contained mobile printing units each comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer-cylinder mounteduin saidauxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said main frame adjacenteach ofsaid platen cylinders fo'r supporting said mobile units in said main frame for relative motion therewith, each of said auxiliary frames including a movable part which cooperates in looking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position ,on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with othermeans on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile units are mounted in said main frame. 7

v8. Adryoffset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in, said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking saidplate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said mainframe adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting'said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motiontherewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said partwhen moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producingrelative motion between the web, transfer cylinder and plate cylinder, said last named means successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and thensaid transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is olf impression, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit'is mounted in said main frame.

9. A dry offset printing press comprising'a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said ,platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylindena self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, ,a plate cylinder mounted in said, auxiliary frarne, means in said auxiliary frame forinking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment,

means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said, mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including partjwhen moved having, means cooperating with other means, on ,saidfauxiliaryvfr'ame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and 'plate cylindenfsaid lastnamed means successively movingsaid 17 plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and then after a predetermined time lapse said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is off impression, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

10. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said last named means successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and then said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is off impression and successively moving said transfer cylinder into contact with said web and then said plate cylinder into contact with said transfer cylinder when the press is on impression, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

11. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in looking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said last named means successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and then after a predetermined time lapse said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is off impression and successively moving said transfer cylinder into contact with said web and then said plate cylinder into contact with said transfer cylinder when the press is on impression, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

12. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a Web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, said plate cylinder having intaglio cells in its surface, said inking means including an inking cylinder mounted in spaced relation to said plate cylinder for stufling ink into said intaglio cells, means on said main frame adjacent said 'platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the Web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

13. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted in said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, said plate cylinder having intaglio cells in its surface, said inking means comprising an ink reservoir in said auxiliary frame, an inking cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame and depending into said reservoir, and a doctor blade contacting said plate cylinder, said inking cylinder being rotatably mounted in spaced relation :to said plate cylinder for stuffing ink into said intaglio cells, means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfercylinder, and plate cylinder, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

14. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced platen cylinders vertically mounted on said main frame, means for rotating said platen cylinders, means for driving a web around said platen cylinders, a plurality of self-contained mobile printing units each comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, said plate cylinder having intaglio cells in its surface, said inking means including an inking cylinder mounted in spaced relation to said plate cylinder for stuffing ink into said intaglio cells, means on said main frame adjacent each of said platen cylinders for supporting said mobile units in said main frame for relative motion therewith, each of said auxiliary frames including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile units are mounted in said main frame.

15. A dry offset printing press compring a main frame, a plurality of spaced platen cylinders vertically mounted on said main frame, means for rotating said platen cylinders, means for driving a web around said platen cylinders, a plurality of self-contained mobile printing units each comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted 19 in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and mking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said main frame adjacent each of said platen cylinders for supporting said mobile units in said main frame for relative motion therewith, each of said auxiliary frames including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating sa1d auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main 7 frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said last named means successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and then said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is off impression, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile units are mounted in said main frame.

16. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a plurality of spaced platen cylinders vertically mounted on said main frame, means for rotating said platen cylinders, means for driving a web around said platen cylinders, a plurality of self-contained mobile printing units each comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, said plate cylinder having intaglio cells in its surface, said inking means including an inking cylinder mounted in spaced relation to said plate cylinder for stuffing ink into said intaglio cells, means on said main frame adjacent each of said platen cylinders for supporting said mobile units in said main frame for relative motion therewith, each of said auxiliary frames including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said last named means successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and then said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is off impression, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile units are mounted in said main frame.

17. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said auxiliary frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel members connected at their front ends by a transverse shaft, the rear end of said members having integral vertical portions, said part being mounted on said vertical portions, and means in said main frame for bile unit is mounted in said main frame.

18. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined postion on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part When moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said last named means successively moving said plate cylinder out of contact with said transfer cylinder and then said transfer cylinder out of contact with said web when the press is o impression, said auxiliary frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel members connected at their front ends by a transverse shaft, the rear end of said members having integral vertical portions, said part being mounted on said vertical portions, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

19. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, said plate cylinder having intaglio cells in its surface, said inking means including an inking cylinder mounted in spaced relation to said plate cylinder for stuffing ink into said intaglio cells, means on said main frame adjacent said platen cylinder for supporting said mobile unit in said main frame for relative motion therewith, said auxiliary frame including a movable part which cooperates in locking engagement with means on said main frame for locating said auxiliary frame in a predetermined position on the main frame when said part and means are in locking engagement, said part when moved having means cooperating with other means on said auxiliary frame for producing relative motion between the web, transfer cylinder, and plate cylinder, said auxiliary frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel members connected at their front ends by a transverse shaft, the rear end of said members having integral vertical portions, said part being mounted on said vertical portions, and means in said main frame for rotating said plate and transfer cylinders when said mobile unit is mounted in said main frame.

20. A dry offset printing press comprising a main frame, a platen cylinder mounted on said frame, means for rotating said platen cylinder, means for driving a web around said platen cylinder, a self-contained mobile printing unit comprising an auxiliary frame, a transfer cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, a plate cylinder mounted in said auxiliary frame, means in said auxiliary frame for inking said plate cylinder, said plate cylinder and inking means being supported for relative adjustment, said plate cylinder having intaglio cells in its surface, said inking means including an inking cylinder mounted in spaced relation to said plate cylinder for stufling ink into said intaglio cells, means on said main frame adjacent 

